Discriminated by many, isolated from all. Crooks is a quick-witted, vivacious, stable-hand who takes his name from his physical characteristics; A crooked back as result of a horse kick. He’s segregated for the clear reason of the colour of his skin. Crooks is kept to his sanctuary—the harness room; where the white man snickers, and indecent remarks are impenetrable. He may put up a front, demonstrates his care free attitude, but somewhere deep down lies A guy who needs somebody—to be near him. (pg. 20) Crooks’ display of motions makes the reader feel empathy and allows him to fully grasp the theme of loneliness intended in Of Mice and Men. Black, nigger, negro, coon, niglet, spook — All derogative terms that are used to describe people of an African culture. Crooks is the only non-Caucasian individual occupying the ranch. Because of his difference in colour, he is secluded from the other ranch hands, including their activities. Remember when your mother told you being different meant you were unique, meant you were something special? In this case, it would’ve been better off if Crooks wasn‘t the silky pearl, but the bland clam.
You don’t let me in your house to play cards, so why should I let you into my house? These words spittle from Crooks mouth, a pool of anger spreading throughout his veins. Human rights? What are those? During the depression era, African-American people weren’t appreciated. White men treated them as if they had a high rank in royalty, intolerating scum like Negros. White men would look at a pile of manure and compare African-American people, finding no difference in the two. Being the only African-American man had to have made Crooks lonely. Who could he turn to, discuss injustice and cruelty? Who could e acknowledge? Just the presence of another man like him would have comforted him. Who could lean his heavy head on? Look for reassurance, words of ease, telling him everything would be alright? No one. Crooks had not a single person to spill his frustrated rants to, his depression seeping from his weary body. Because none of the men acknowledged him as a human being, one of them. When Christmas comes knocking at the ranch’s door, Smitty and Crooks fell headfirst into a tussle. Even though the ranch hands knew of Crooks instability, they did not seem to matter when they stood along, cheering for more.
The boss is portrayed as a swell fellow, but even kind men can be racist. Ignorance is a bliss, they say. Or is it? Hopes and dreams. Where do they get you? Nowhere. Crooks is found alone, placing liniment onto his sore back, when Lennie pops his head inside. Crooks doesn’t appreciate Lennie being present in his room. He’s not allowed in the other men’s cabins, so why should he permit Lennie to walk right in? After little consideration, Crooks loneliness gets the best of him, allowing Lennie to accompany him. When Lennie first mentions “the dream”, Crooks is merely curious.
As Lennie’s blithe words ring in Crooks’ ears, he struggles to take Lennie seriously. For Crooks’ has witnessed a handful of men try and pursue their dreams and the outcome wasn’t fulfilment. Lennie is determined that George, Candy and himself will carry out their mission. Believing no one and nothing can stop them. Another man enters Crooks’ barn, Candy. He’s immediately joins in on their previous discussion. Candy elaborates their reverie, convincing words spilling out of his eager lips. Crooks absorbs the information like a sponge, contemplating his options and what he has to lose: nothing.
Crooks decides that he would like to join the dream team, offering to help out around the ranch. Hope swells deep down inside of Crooks, rising like a helium balloon. Crooks’ isolated personality segues into a buoyant one. Curley’s wife appears out of thin air–smoke. She doesn’t’t hesitate, saunters past the threshold, and enters Crooks territory. He eyes Curley’s wife, pondering whether she really belongs here or not. Mind made up, Crooks discreetly mumbles, Maybe you better go along to your own house now. (pg. 77) Curley’s wife spontaneously turns livid, as she whirls on Crooks.
Foul names are thrown, and unpleasant looks are exchanged between the two. Succumbing to Curley’s wife’s verbal abuse, Listen, nigger, You know what I can do if you open your trap? (pg. 80) His confidence and integrity ebbs away as he falls into submission. When you‘re constantly being reminded of how you are nobody, you being to believe it. Like a deflated balloon, his courage shrivels and brings the airless latex down to where he was in the beginning–nowhere. As Curley’s wife leaves the room, Crooks’ decision about their dream changes. Just as he was apart of the llotment, he quickly sinks out of it. Crooks is left alone, again. Isolation sinks it’s fangs into Crooks’ heart, sucking life and love out of his drowsy soul, an incense that occurs multiple times throughout Of Mice and Men. Crooks’ is left with a drained spirit, and a crestfallen glint in his eyes. John Steinbeck writes about several things that he finds wrong: racism, isolation, sexism, etc. Throughout the novel Crooks proves that everyone experiences loneliness, but sometimes we can’t bring ourselves back to pleasure and merriment, we get stuck in the mud suffocated by seclusion and ourselves.
